Many of you have asked about the design on the cover of June’s wardrobe challenge and I can’t think of any better way to get back on the blogging roll. Where have I been hiding? Actually, I have been traveling quite a bit: some for work, visiting family, and of course getting a little fishing in.
I keep my blog notebook with me and write ideas and topics when the inspiration comes. The book is getting pretty full, so the good news is I am back from my trips and have caught up on all my crazy tight deadlines (what a breath of fresh air 🙂 ) and now I have the time to blog, yeah!
I have spent the last two weeks sewing and embroidering up a storm. I am excited to share what I have been working on and ready to get going on the wardrobe challenge … I need some summer clothes!
June’s Challenge – Fabricate!
First, I have some great fabricating techniques to share with you; therefore, I am extending the deadline for June’s Challenge until July 31st. There will still be a separate July challenge, but with summer in most of our backyards, this will give you more time.
Fab-ri-cate (from dictionary.com unabridged – based on the Random House Dictionary)
- To make by art or skill and labor; construct
- To make by assembling parts or sections
- To devise or invent
- To fake; forge
That definition pretty much leaves the door open for ultimate creativity, wouldn’t you say? One idea includes designing your own fabric or altering a fabric into something totally different, which is what I did with the above jacket.
The fabric used for the applique trimming is a polyester / satin. A lightweight fabric with fabulous drape, perfect for a blouse or lining (both of which I plan to add to jacket). That fabric, if left alone, would be a nightmare to create appliques or cut-outs, so I fabricated – sounds like a bad word 🙂 !
The trick – Heat N Bond, now available from my favorite place WAWAK Sewing and comes in 5 yard and 35 yard pieces. At first I wasn’t too sure about this stuff, but basically you iron it to the back of the fabric and it makes it easier for you to cut out an applique – especially if you are using the Brother Scan-n-Cut
This is how easy an applique can be:
- Choose a design – for the sleeve I enlarged a design already in the scan-n-cut memory.
- Place the bonded fabric onto the cutting mat (the paper backing on the heat –n-bond makes it easy to stick)
- Press the start button (told you it was easy!)
Peel off the backing and place the appliques on the garment.
Once you have the perfect placement, use a press cloth and press the applique in place. Notice I attach the appliques before sewing the sleeve together.
Even though the cut of the scan-n-cut prevents the fabric edges from fraying, I still stitch the applique in place. I choose the blanket stitch and stitched around each applique. That took some time, but it looks great. Almost looks like leather!
I followed all those steps for the jacket front and again used a blanket stitch.
Of course I could cut these appliques by hand, but I really like the fact that all the front pieces are exactly the same! By the way, don’t look too closely at my studio – can you tell I have been working 🙂
Well, that’s one fun way to fabricate, much more to come. Have you ever tried appliqueing apparel?
Cheers,
I love trying new techniques and (embroidery machine) applique is one that I’ve been working on for about a month now. It’s a great way to add some pizzazz to a piece. I’d love to have a Scan n Cut, but not in the budget right now.
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Angela, hope you had a wonderful time on you vacation. Beautiful jacket!
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Angela: That is some fish!!! After watching your WAWAK hem rolling, I ordered the ball foot. Unfortunately, I did not know it was for industrial machines only, as are all their other feet, so I was “out of luck”. Will pass it on to a friend who has an industrial machine. Did order several zippers at less than 50 cents each and lots of seam rippers as you suggested. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge. Deanne
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I have never seen a scan and cut machine. It seems quite fun. Your jacket looks very nice 🙂
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Hi Angela,
Wow, that is a beautiful jacket!!
I like the fish picture too.
Joe
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thanks Joe 🙂
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Angela! Your jacket is exquisite – worthy of a “Threads” cover, in my view. Love the technique too.
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You are too sweet! I was just thinking about you, your ears must have been wringing! Hope all is well on your end 🙂
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I just popped into to say that I really love to watch your segments on Its Sew Easy. You give so many tips that I have applied to many projects. Its easy to see that you love what you do and you do everything so well. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
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Hi Jill,
Thanks so much! It’s people like you that make me want to teach 🙂 Cheers!
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Where did you catch that trout? Looks like AK, they are really big there!
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Hi Maggie, In the St. Joseph River in Michigan. We catch them on Lake Michigan as well. cheers 🙂
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